|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 11:54 am
Michiko's vision refocused on the celestial infront of her. At first she looked startled to have someone in her house, but then she relaxed again smiling a bit dizzily at Lumine,"Yes, I am fine don't worry..."
There was a small blush in her face, embarrassed at having passed out. She had wanted to help but her body had given out. The wolf tengu stood stiffly,"What happened? Is Ochiba okay? ... Where did the shinigami go?"
Michiko braced herself on the couch and forced herself to stand. A hand moved to her side, but she moved it away; it seemed the bandaging done on herself had been a good job. Michiko spotted the stitching on the tunic her mother had worn,"Are you okay, Lumine? Did you get hurt too?"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 1:57 pm
"Yeah... Ochiba's fine." Lumine replied, watching the wolf as she stood. "And Hanari left just a minute ago."
Ensured that Michiko could stand on her own two feet, Lumine joined her and stood as well. When Michiko inquired about her injuries, Lumine moved a hand to touch the stitching on Seijin's tunic. "Yeah, but I'm okay! Really!" She put on her brightest smile, even though the wound still pained her somewhat. "It wasn't that bad... not as bad as you and Bunny-Sensei got, anyway. And besides, I'm a Celestial! It'll take more than a poke in the chest to take me down!"
Master Kazuko could always tell when Lumine was lying. Was it motherly instinct? Did her daughter possess the same ability? "It...hurts a bit...and I am tired. But don't worry about me. I'm just glad you and Bunny-Sensei are okay..." Without thinking about it, Lumine took a step forward and wrapped her arms around Michiko for a second time. She cherished her friend's lives, and was happy that they had lived through the morning's Incident.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:35 pm
Michiko nodded, now fully braced poised tall, proud and stoic as ever. "Good. The rabbit's death would be troublesome. She cares for a few other vermin creatures on her home; it would be untimely for them," The wolf tengu moved to the side, having in her head to sit Lumine down,"I am also glad you got off with 'minor' injuries."
Michiko knew Lumine lied, and as she raised an eyebrow, she got the truth out of the celestial. The wolf jumped a bit as the blue haired girl wrapped her arms around her for the second time.
Hesitantly though, Michiko wrapped her arms around the celestial; there was a certain warmth to the embrace she tried to hide. It was like Seijin's own hugs, perhaps lacking the experience, but with all the good intentions in it."You should try to rest now," The wolf said, rubbing Lumine's back,"It has been a long morning, and you need to rest. The one bed I have, Ochiba Occupies, but go on and take the couch , I will overwatch both of you now."
Michuko moved away, and made Lumine sit down,"Don't worry one bit, I won' let harm befall anyone in my stead."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 11:06 pm
Lumine closed her eyes and, if but for a moment, she was transported back in time, into the equally loving arms of Michiko's mother. She sighed and sank into her timid embrace, feeling as if she could melt away in that instant, and forget all her troubles. It was only by Michiko's voice that broke through the haze of euphoria, bringing her back to the present and the matters at hand.
"Wait, but--" Lumine was hesitant to relax now, even in Michiko's care. She felt a bit vulnerable right now, having left all of her possessions, most importantly Maemi's Nodachi, unattended at her house. There was no telling who might come along and take as they please, including the demons from before.
But, this was Seijin's daughter. Lumine knew she wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. She let the wolf ease her onto the couch, letting out a small sigh in the process. "...Okay, I'll rest here for a little while. But then, I have to go back home! I have a lot of important stuff there, and I don't want to lose anything... But if something happens, promise you'll wake me up! There's no way I'll let you take on those demons alone, should they appear again."
With that said, Lumine shifted her body, bringing her legs up in one direction and reclining in the other. As she laid her head upon the couch's armrest, she returned her attention to her wolven guardian. "Let's just...be safe for a while, okay? All of us."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 10:09 am
Michiko smiled,"Yes, You better rest. Is it not an encouragement? The quicker you feel refreshed the quicker you can return to your home and possessions."
The wolf stretched a bit, before nodding to the celestial. "I want no one to die; as cold as I may seem... I rather see no blood be spilled this day. " Michiko sat on the other couch to let herself rest a moment. "No one will be getting hurt as long as I can stand."
"Enough of that.... You best sleep and regain your energy, we do not know what may come our way soon," The tengu smiled towards the celestial, standing And momentarily disappearing into her room. She returned with a blanket that she promptly place over Lumine,"Rest well, Lumine."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 12:39 am
"Rest well," Lumine did. The Celestial passed out quickly after laying her head down, the physical overexertion she performed finally catching up with her. Much time would pass before she finally awoke, and the day had begun to shift into night.
With dusk on the horizon, and the nagging fear of losing her possessions still in her mind, Lumine politely bid Michiko goodbye and quickly left her small home. She ran through the Forest of Magic with renewed vigor and energy and, despite being barefoot, crossed the span between their homes with a speed to rival a Kazuko's.
Okay, maybe that was wishful thinking, but there was no one around to contest otherwise.
Lumine was pleased to find Maemi's sword, still planted in the ground not far from her "home". In truth, the small dwelling really didn't feel like home any more, and would always have the fear of intrusion looming over its simple structure. For now, she would bear the uneasiness, having no where else to comfortably turn to.
She plucked the Nodachi from the ground and swiftly carried it inside. With the sword safely in its sheath again, it was only a matter of time before the papers thrown about the room were cleaned up into a neat stack as well.
Once done with her chores, Lumine then proceeded to dress herself properly, affixing her boots and trademark hat. After all, a visit from a Guiding Light should warrant at least looking proper, right?
Hanari told her just to call out, whenever she needed her... Lumine moved to the window, carefully forcing the wooden frame apart. She hesitated. How would the Shinigami hear her? What would she say? For once, she felt embarrassed to just call out into the wind for no reason. Further, she didn't want to alert the sensitive ears of a certain wolf or rabbit, either.
Lumine took a deep breath, bowing her head out the window. "Hanari..! ...I want to see you again! If you can hear my voice outside these walls... If you can hear me sending out this message tonight... Then break the silence! And send a signal back! I'm calling out to you!" She paused, withdrawing her head back inside.
"...If you can hear me..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 12:59 am
"You are pretty loud."
With a small poof of reddish-pink that resembled sakura leaves Hanari had appeared leaned next to the window pane, scythe leaned coolly over her shoulder. She smiled slyly, feeling accomplished in her timely appearance, "Slept well I presume? You look rather refreshed."
The shinigami pushed off the wall, leaving the scythe leaned on it, while she herself moved to put her crossed arms on the windowsill to look inside and at Lumine. "I set up the appointment with Noroshi-sama, if that is what you called me for. I found her not long ago, so she said she'd come to me as soon as she guided a couple souls to the Sanzu... Lucky you, you may get to see her when she isn't surrounded by all the ghosts that tend to group around her."
"Uh,that is why you called me right?" Hanari stopped, now wondering if she had been incorrect,"Do you need me for anything else?" Now thinking, why would she offer to help the soul she had claimed she would take? It was all very contradictory, so she took the time to add,"But don't try your luck! Remember I'll take your soul as soon as I am strong enough you hear?!...even if that would be in a long, long... long... Time."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 5:42 am
Lumine jumped slightly, not expecting such a quick response. That didn't stop a smile from creeping onto her face however, one born from the sight of her Shinigami companion. It took her a moment to respond. "...Uh, y-yeah, I feel much better now..."
The Celestial suddenly found herself fighting the urge to reach out to Hanari. She stopped herself mid action, instead moving her hand to grasp the windowsill, just beside Hanari's arms. A wall separated the two; how poetically ironic. Only a small window between them offered contact, allowing them but a glimpse into each other's much different worlds.
Realizing her thoughts were wandering, Lumine gave a soft shake to her head, both as a response to Hanari's question and to clear herself mentally. "No, no, that's...all I needed from you... Thank you, Hanari, for all you've done for me and my friends today." Even her own pride and stubbornness couldn't ignore how much of a help the Shinigami had been. Although, she couldn't help but to grin at Hanari's last comment. "The longer the better... Not that you'll ever succeed, of course~"
Lumine forced herself away from the window, feeling a bit uncomfortable with her own thoughts now. She turned to the desk and pretended to look through the papers she had written. "Y'know, you can come in...if you want. Unless you like it out there in the cold..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 12:19 pm
"Not a problem..." Hanari nodded looking curiously as Lumine leaned by her on the other side of the wall,"I did what was right; As a shinigami, demons are my enemy too, and I am to stop them if I ever see them."
"Bah, it may take a long time, but when I am ready you'll see!" Hanari blushed feeling challenged and leaning into the house a bit at Lumine turned around and walked to her desk. When she was invited inside she blinked,"No it's fine, this way Noroshi-sama will find me easier."
".... And i don't really know how cold feels. Never really felt cold. I guess I am just that sturdy!" The shinigami said boastfully. She looked to the side feeling as if she had said something stupid and spotted a light amid the forest's greenery, "Ah, I think that's Noroshi-sama."
Indeed, at her own pace the old spirit walked out and towards them. She already had a few ghosts surrounding her, two to be exact. Tebiki walked up to Hanari and the window, the spirits circling around the shinigami too.
Hanari smiled and petted one of the souls. "I have arrived as arranged, Hanari, what is the reason of calling me this night?"
"Oh, that's because Lumine wanted to talk with you." Hanari pointed into the window, earning a curious peek from the shepard.
"You are the celestial from earlier," Tebioi blinked,"What business do you have with a humble shepard as myself?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 5:50 pm
"What?" Lumine blinked, returning her attention to the dark-haired woman. "You don't feel cold? At all?" She took a step closer, eying Hanari quickly. "How can you not feel cold?? You don't even look like you're wearing--! ...Huh?"
With the Spirit Herder's announced arrival, Lumine could feel that uneasy feeling well up in the back of her mind again. Something about the strange girl unnerved her, although she wasn't certain why. She waited patiently for the girl to approach the window as well, stopping beside Hanari.
Lumine removed her hat, placing it over her chest and bowing graciously. "My name is Lumine Mayflower, Wayward Celestial." She returned upright, setting her hat on the desk nearby. "First, I want to thank you for helping me earlier today... If it wasn't for you and Hanari, my friends and I would be goners."
She moved closer to the window, breaching the distance between herself and those beyond. "I talked to Hanari about you earlier today... She told me you're a being that guides souls when they pass on." Lumine felt nervousness, making her ball up her hands into fists. "Tell me, O Shepard, do you remember the souls that you care for?" She watched Hanari innocently pet one of the floating spirits that encircled them both. The thought that it was the soul of someone who recently passed away sent a chill down her spine. "Like...who they were and stuff?"
Lumine paused for a moment, then sighed. She decided she would lay all her cards out on the table. "Someone...left me a long time ago... She was killed by a bloodthirsty Youkai. She told me once about something called 'reincarnation', a process in which a soul is born into a new body. I'm waiting for that to happen... and I want to find her again." Lumine's saddened eyes drifted downward as she spoke, staring at the wall between them. "I... I want to see her again more than anything else in the world. I wonder...if you knew her name, do you think you could remember what happened to her soul?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:48 pm
Hanari listened quietly, petting the ghost absently.
---
Tebiki drew a bit closer to the window, poking her staff through it and letting the light dangle infront of Lumine. "Penatance over one who has left this plane..." She seemed to mummble to herself," Worry not. In all due honesty, I would have done it had there been no souls in danger; for it is my personal task to chase Fuzen-mara over the Hakurei Barrier if need be."
"That I am, personally created by the Yama known as Shikieiki Yamaxanadu,as it was her who saw the need of help gathering the stray souls of the deceased."
"Ah that... I remember a few, those who had a particualrly sorrowful or interesting passing.... If you may call it that,"Tebiki drew her staff, turning to Hanari," Do me a favor. Take these souls to Higan."
The shinigami nodded and taking a single soul in her hands the rest followed as she pooded in the pinkish red sakura blossoms. Not a minute after Hanari left, there was already a new soul circling around her. She smiled; not to Lumine but the soft bodied spirit that nudged her hand as it appeared.
In truth, Tebiki seemed no bigger than a young girl, perhaps fourteen or fifteen of age, but she wore the luster of one who travelled, and the scar in the shape of what looked liked an X on her cheek gave her a certain look of wildness. She leaned her staff on the frame of the wndow taking a soul in her hands with extreme tenderness and petted it holding it a bit closer to herself, almost craddling it.
"I remember many souls that I care for," Tebiki said, looking up to Lumine," But you will have to tell me more of the one you look for so that I may tell you more. Who is it you search for in the stars? Their Names are a great way to start."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 12:35 am
"Kenkaku Maemi!!" Lumine almost shouted, gripping the windowsill with both hands this time. There was a look of excitement in her face with the chance presenting itself that Shepard might remember something about Maemi's soul. "She's a-- ...she was a Tengu warrior. Erm, taller than me," she raised a hand a few inches above her head, flattening her palm. "Long black hair, and huge, beautiful black wings!" She pause for a moment, her mood deflating. "Although...I guess that doesn't help any, huh? Being a soul...and all..."
Lumine thought quietly for a moment, her gaze drifting to the side and out of reality. "She was a proud warrior...and came from a long heritage of swordsmen and women. She trained hard to make her family proud, even though she didn't want to do it..." Her eyes returned to Tebiki, looking both hopeful and afraid. "Does any of this...sound familiar? I want to know what happened...to her soul. If I can hope to see her again someday... Because... I really miss her."
Her eyes glazed over, and her grip on the windowsill tightened, threatening to break the wooden frame off. "I really, really miss her. I want to see her smile again, and...hear her call my name...and say I'm annoying...."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 12:59 am
"Maemi Kenkaku...." Tebiki repeated thoughtfully, idly petting the ghost she held as if it were some sort of puppy in need of attention. She listened to all of Lumine's details, carefully absorbing each one and discerning it in her head, as if ruffling through her memory.
The shepard snickered,"Yes, Apperance isn't much of something I work with..." She did perk at the description though. "And you say she was killed by a bloodthirsty youkai...?" The spirit looked to the side past the forest of magic, deep in thought.
"Yes. I do believe I recall her. She was particularly clingy to her home; she truly did not want to leave..."
"Most ghosts are somewhat unconscious... like this small fellow," Tebiki nodded down at the spirit in her hands,"This one will never remember anything... but other souls, are far more sentinent. They feel and recall, tell their stories, and weep... it is not in a bodily manner, but I have learned to read their emotions."
"I remember that tengu's soul, I do, much more because I never forget a soul that I was called into court for...." Tebiki released the soul so it would join the four that had gathered around her staff, "I believe you have met her...."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 6:37 am
Lumine waited patiently for the Shepard with her head hung low, although her eyes were fixed on the young-looking girl. At last, the Shepard affirmed her hopes. She did remember! She's seen Maemi!! Lumine's eyes lit up at hearing Tebiki say this, like a small fire had ignited in each one. She listened even more intently to the Shepard's words.
"'Called into court for'? What does that mean? Did she do something wro--
W--
WHAT?!"
A swelling of excitement found an exit through the Celestial's hands. Without thinking, Lumine ripped a small wooden plank from the wall - the windowsill she had been gripping previously. Her face turned a bright red upon realizing what she had done, but she quickly dismissed the event and all associated embarrassment by tossing the piece of wood aside.
If the fear of colliding with the Shepard hadn't been present, Lumine would have lept out of the window to hug her. "I've met her?! H-How?! When?! Where?!!" As it was, Lumine poked her head through the window rather quickly, along with her shoulders. "Please, you have to tell me! I'll do anything!! Please tell me where Maemi is!!" She hung her arms out of the window, clasping them together with fingers interwoven, putting herself into a rather strange begging position. "I don't care where she is! I have to go see her, I need to see her, I-- I...!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 12:07 pm
Tebiki was calm as always,"Yes, I am afraid you've met her..."
"I was called into court because when a soul is given a job it is asked from those who have interacted with it to give their thoughts on it,"The shepard explained,"It is a way to ensure the soul's nature is appropiate for the job it will be given...."
"I was given my chance by Onozuka-sama, originally the Sanzu ferry woman. But, I was given my job for my attitude. I had learned to be a calm person, and as such they thought I would be appropiate for guiding."
"I say this, because it is the reason I was allowed to keep my memories of my past life. Had I been sent to Hakugyokurou.... I would have lost my memories, and thus the qualities that made me good for the job."
"Other jobs in Higan aren't so lucky. Most are sent to Hakugyokurou or otherwise created. Your friend, Miss Kenkaku, was sent to Hakugyokurou to erase her previous binds with her previous mortal life. It would be hard for a judge to stay unbiased if his beloved stood before him, or a ferryman had to chose the distance the spirit of her daughter's spirit journey across the Sanzu. As such, most spirits are cleansed at Hakugyokurou to be able to remain neutral to all souls. "
"The souls of those given a job are the ones who have qualities embedded in their existance. Qualities that can withstand cleansing, and remain in the clean soul."
"Shikieiki-sama was created from a Jinzou statue that received much faith, Akira-sama was a soul of a deceased girl who died upon saving one of her siblings who had fallen sick. She took care of healing her sibling, but she herself grew ill and succumbed to the disease...." The shepard recited, another soul flying into her hand,"Hanari.... died in a youkai attack high in Youkai Mountain..."
"She is the one you seek, Wayward Celestial. Hanari is the same soul as your friend's. Miss Kenkaku was thought to possess the qualities of a shinigami, and was thus sent to Hakugyokurou for cleansing. It was not until recently that the purification process was done that she became the shinigami that stands before you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
